The urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni said the provision of housing should not only be seen as making available shelter to households but for households to function and essential for human development.
Uutoni made these remarks on Friday during the official commissioning of Extension 24 in Ondangwa, which comprises 321 erven for the construction of houses targeting low to middle-income groups.
The minister said, of the 179 plots allocated to 15 developers, 130 are already fully occupied while the rest are in the final stages.
“Approximately N$33 million was spent toward infrastructural development such as sewerage, water, electricity, and roads,” he stated.
Uutoni said the properties were completed within two years of allocation.
He added that housing with basic services improves the physical welfare of the poor, assists with entrepreneurial activities, builds an asset base, allows privacy, and strengthens social relations, status improvement, and control over the local environment.
Uutoni further said that his ministry aims to ensure the progress of such basic services in every town in Namibia.
“Affordable housing refers to the provision of housing units that are priced in a manner that will allow the target beneficiaries, especially lower and middle-income earners, to also be able to afford other basic living costs such as food, clothing, transport, education, and medical care,” he said.
Mayor of Ondangwa Paavo Amwele said the huge housing development could not be possible if it was not for the council with its developmental and financial institutions partners.
-vkaapanda@nepc.com.na
Caption: (Ondangwa) Build… Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni and Ondangwa mayor Paavo Amwele at the official commissioning of Extension 24 in Ondangwa.
Photo: Contributed